The 9th edition of the India-Indonesia Joint Special Forces Garuda Shakti Exercise concluded successfully with a closing ceremony on November 12 at Cijantung, Indonesia.
This annual military exercise, which began on November 1, showcased the growing defence cooperation between India and Indonesia, with both nations working together to enhance their military capabilities in counter-terrorism operations.
The event saw the participation of key dignitaries, including Sandeep Chakravorty, India’s Ambassador to Indonesia, Captain Shiv Kumar, Defence Attaché at the Indian Embassy, and Colonel Inf J. S. Aling from the Indonesian Army.
The exercise brought together specialised forces from both countries, including 25 personnel from India's Parachute Regiment (Special Forces) and 40 personnel from Indonesia’s elite Kopassus Special Forces.
The Garuda Shakti Exercise has been designed to improve bilateral military cooperation between the two armies through various training drills and discussions. The main focus of the exercise is to prepare both forces to conduct joint military operations in a counter-terrorism environment, particularly in sub-conventional domains.
Both contingents gained hands-on experience in diverse combat environments, including underwater training, close-range shooting, and operations in urban and jungle terrains. This collaboration helped strengthen the bond between the two armies while enhancing their preparedness to face common security challenges.
This year’s edition of the exercise also falls under the broader framework of India’s strategic defence initiatives. 2024 has been designated as the “Year of Tech Absorption” by the Indian Army, focusing on the integration of new technologies to improve operational efficiency. The Garuda Shakti exercise serves as a practical platform for sharing best practices and modern warfare techniques between the two countries.
The two nations share a warm relationship, celebrating 75 years of diplomatic relations in 2024. This milestone is particularly significant as it coincides with the 10th anniversary of India’s ‘Act East’ policy, with Indonesia playing a vital role in strengthening this initiative.
This year’s exercise was also timely, following the recent inauguration of Indonesia’s 8th President, Prabowo Subianto, which added to the importance of the bilateral defence partnership.
Pabitra Margherita, India’s Minister of State for External Affairs, also attended the inauguration ceremony of President Subianto, further reaffirming India’s commitment to fostering deeper ties with Indonesia.
The participation of Indian officials in these high-level events underlined India’s focus on deepening the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries.
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